Pelvic floor therapy in Pevely, MO. Pelvic floor causes more than just physical pain; it can affect your self-esteem and independence. If pelvic floor dysfunction is keeping you from getting back to a beloved sport, starting a family, or just navigating a day with the same confidence and comfort as before, pelvic floor physical therapy may be what you need to regain your lifestyle. With research-supported treatment plans, pelvic floor therapy in Pevely, MO can lead to:
- Improved bladder and bowel control
- Reduced discomfort and inflammation
- Enhanced sexual performance and pleasure
- Increased confidence and quality of life
Axes Physical Therapy in Pevely, MO specializes in creating customized treatment plans that gets pelvic floor patients back to the activities they love most safely and effectively. If you are curious in gaining more information about pelvic floor therapy or want to arrange an appointment with one of our specialists, please contact us online today or reach out to the Axes location nearest you. We’re here to help you regain control and confidence in your pelvic health.
Understanding the Pelvic Floor
The pelvic floor is the soft tissues and joints that create a supportive hammock-like structure at the bottom of the pelvis. It acts like a “floor” or a base for the organs in your pelvis, including the bladder, uterus, urethra, and rectum. The pelvic floor shields organs and your spine from outside pressure while helping manage several important functions.
The pelvic floor has several functions and roles:
- Helps manage your bladder and bowels by providing you command over the contraction and release of muscles
- Supports organs in the pelvis and prevents them from descending
- Resists belly pressure from lifting, coughing, or other activities
- Supports optimal sexual function
- Provides sturdiness and posture to the core and back
- During pregnancy, expands to accommodate a growing fetus and supports vaginal delivery in childbirth
- Assists in blood and lymphatic circulation, helping to sustain healthy tissue
Pelvic Floor Anatomy
The pelvic floor muscles stretch from the tailbone at the back to the pubic bone at the front, while also connecting to the hip bones on each side. These muscles have passageways or passages for the urethra (through which urine is passed), the vagina, and the anus (through which stool is passed).
Think of the pelvic floor as a woven network of muscles and tissues that forms a sturdy foundation, supporting the pelvic organs in place and preventing them from sagging. It works like a reinforcing sling to preserve the position and function of pelvic organs.
The chief muscles of the pelvic floor are called the levator ani and the coccygeus. The levator ani has three parts: one that wraps around the rectum and helps you to hold in your poo (puborectalis), one that connects the front and back bones of your pelvis and maintains the urethra and rectum (pubococcygeus), and one that connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and sustains the organs inside your abdomen (iliococcygeus). The coccygeus connects the side and back bones of your pelvis and works to keep your pelvis stable.
The pelvic floor muscles have important roles. They assist in regulating the release of urine and stool by contracting and relaxing at the appropriate times and contribute in sexual function and pleasure by providing support to the organs involved in sexual activity. When the pelvic floor is weakened or becomes too tense, it results in pelvic floor dysfunction.
Causes, Signs, and Symptoms of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
Pelvic floor dysfunction occurs when you experience difficulty relaxing and coordinating your pelvic floor muscles for optimal function.
Signs and Symptoms
- Trouble urinating or having bowel movements
- Feeling like your bowel movements are incomplete
- Leakage of urine or feces
- Often feeling the urge to use the bathroom
- Sensation of needing to strain urine or feces
- Pelvic pain
- Pain during sex
- Erectile dysfunction and trouble ejaculating
- Organ prolapse
Potential Causes
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Pelvic surgery or trauma
- Obesity
- Aging
- Menopause
- Chronic constipation or straining
- Chronic coughing or sneezing
- Heavy lifting or high-impact exercise
- Psychological factors like stress or emotional trauma
- Nerve damage
- Surgery
Pelvic floor dysfunction can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or physical ability. While it can have a negative impact on your physical, mental, and emotional health, there is hope with professional physical therapy in Pevely, MO. At Axes, we offer an entire team dedicated to assisting you regain the pleasure of engaging in the activities you treasure most in life.
How Physical Therapy Can Help With Pelvic Floor Dysfunction
If you are suffering from pelvic floor dysfunction, you may feel disappointed, ashamed, or hopeless. But a diagnosis is far from a permanent condition. With practical treatment plans customized for you by your Pevely, MO physical therapist, you can regain control over your life and experience a comfortable existence.
Pelvic floor therapy involves exercises that can strengthen, stretch, or coordinate the pelvic muscles. The benefits of physical therapy for pelvic floor dysfunction in Pevely, MO include:
- Improved pelvic floor muscle strength — Strengthening pelvic floor muscles can aid in improving bladder and bowel control, diminish symptoms of urinary and fecal incontinence, and provide better support for the pelvic organs.
- Improved pelvic floor muscle coordination — Enhancing coordination facilitates vitals functioning, such as relaxing and contracting muscles during urination, bowel movements, and sexual activity.
- Pain management — By targeting weaker or more rigid muscles and addressing sensitive areas, physical therapy can aid in lessening or eliminating the pain you endure caused by pelvic floor dysfunction.
- Pre- and postpartum care — Pelvic floor therapy is frequently advised for expecting mothers and those who have just given birth. It can assist in readying the pelvic floor for labor, minimizing the risk of after childbirth pelvic floor dysfunction, and facilitating healing from changes and trauma to the pelvic floor related to pregnancy and labor.
- Sexual health improvement — By focusing on particular muscles and dealing with any underlying issues, therapy can boost sexual excitement, orgasm, and overall sexual fulfillment.
- Education and self-management — Your tailored pelvic floor therapy plan will not just consist of monitored exercises. By providing education and instructing you in techniques you can utilize independently, your Axes physical therapist helps you actively participate in your own care and enables you to maintain a way of life that supports pelvic floor health.
At Axes Physical Therapy, we have a team of skilled pelvic floor therapists in Pevely, MO who can support you in improving your pelvic well-being and performance. Although some cases of pelvic floor dysfunction may necessitate surgical treatment, most individuals in Pevely, MO will likely experience lasting and meaningful progress through less invasive physical therapy methods.
What Pevely, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Involves
Your first pelvic floor therapy session in Pevely, MO will involve an examination of your existing pelvic floor condition. The subsequent sessions will center around implementing your tailored treatment program.
Assessment and Evaluation
The journey of pelvic floor therapy begins with an initial assessment. In this appointment, your Pevely, MO physical therapist will dedicate time to familiarize themselves with you and your symptoms. They will inquire about your medical history, lifestyle, and goals. Additionally, they will conduct a physical examination and musculoskeletal assessment of your trunk and pelvis to assess your current condition. With your approval, a pre-pelvic floor therapy assessment in Pevely, MO may also include an internal examination to better determine the muscle strength level. Alternatively, biofeedback sensors can be utilized rather than an internal examination.
The assessment and evaluation conducted by your physical therapist will help in determining the potential causes of your pelvic floor dysfunction and support the formulation of an suitable treatment plan to assist you in resuming the activities you enjoy.
Pelvic Floor Therapy Treatments and Exercises
Upon reviewing the findings from your assessment and evaluation, your pelvic floor therapist in Pevely, MO will develop a personalized treatment plan specific to your needs. This plan will include specific goals, exercises, and anticipated outcomes to guide your therapy.
Exercises for Pelvic Floor Therapy
Improving strength and coordination is essential for any pelvic floor therapy plan. Exercises that may be included in your physical therapy treatment plan in Pevely, MO are:
- Kegel exercises to release and engage the pelvic floor muscles
- Diaphragmatic breathing to harmonize your breath with your pelvic floor motion
- Flexibility exercises to release tight muscles
- Strengthening exercises to strengthen weak muscles
- Functional training to integrate new muscle patterns into everyday tasks
The exercises your Pevely, MO physical therapist prescribes for your pelvic floor dysfunction will vary based on your specific needs, but will all be aimed at reconditioning your body and muscles for optimal health. Depending on your existing health and level of pelvic floor dysfunction, exercises may commence with you reclining on your back and progress to sitting and upright positions.
Manual Therapy
Manual therapy, such as instrument-assisted soft tissue mobilization, is a hands-on technique that involves your physical therapist applying pressure or manipulating specific areas of your pelvis. It may include myofascial release (releasing tight knots in your muscles), nerve mobilization (freeing up compressed nerves), joint manipulation (improving the mobility of your joints), deep tissue massage (relaxing tense muscles), or skin mobilization (lifting and rolling the skin to reduce adhesions).
Biofeedback Training
Biofeedback training utilizes a device to measure and display the activity of your pelvic floor muscles on a screen. It help you learn how to manage and harmonize your pelvic floor muscles by giving you instant feedback on how they engage and relax. This feedback helps you better understand understand how to activate and relax the muscles correctly, optimizing your muscle coordination and command.
Behavioral and Lifestyle Modifications
Physical therapy isn’t just a list of exercises to cross off – it also provides you with entrée to expert, science-backed insights that improve your everyday life. Your physical therapist may recommend you with:
- Alterations to your nutrition
- Fluid regulation
- Appropriate posture and safe lifting methods
- Tactics for dealing with constipation
- Further advice for a more wholesome everyday life and lifestyle
Enhancing the exercises and techniques employed in pelvic floor therapy with these adjustments promotes enhanced pelvic floor function and overall well-being.
Other methods in pelvic floor therapy may involve therapeutic ultrasound, electrical stimulation, vaginal dilators, weighted cones, medications, and other alternatives.
Axes Physical Therapy’s Approach to Pelvic Floor Therapy in Pevely, MO
At Axes Physical Therapy, we strongly believe in offering customized and empathetic treatment to our patients. Owned and operated by a devoted physical therapist in Pevely, MO, our practice puts our clients at the center and endeavors to obtain favorable patient results. We realize that pelvic floor dysfunction can present as a sensitive and demanding issue. That’s why we approach every patient with the greatest respect, empathy, and personalized attention.
We also subscribe to the belief in providing evidence-based and integrative care to our patients. We utilize up-to-date research and state-of-the-art technology to inform our treatment plans and methodologies. In addition, we provide a range of other physical therapy services that can complement your pelvic floor therapy, including:
- Orthopedic rehab
- Sports physical therapy
- Neurological physical therapy
- Geriatric physical therapy
- Pre- or post-surgery rehab
If you are exploring pelvic floor therapy in Pevely, MO at Axes Physical Therapy, we are here to help. We have several convenient physical therapy locations in the Pevely, MO area, all devoted to achieving your optimal pelvic health.
Call Axes Physical Therapy for Your Pevely, MO Pelvic Floor Therapy Today
Don’t let pelvic floor dysfunction to keep you from being your favorite version of yourself. At Axes, our committed physio and occupational therapists in Pevely, MO have a singular mission: getting you back to the activities you cherish the most. Whether pelvic floor dysfunction is preventing your participation in your favorite sport or making it challenging to manage your day, we will personalize our physical therapy treatment plan exclusively to you and your goals. Request an appointment through our website or contact the most convenient location to you to commence your rehabilitation with Axes Physical Therapy in Pevely, MO today.
